Dead or dying Airport Express?

OK, long story short: I've got 2 Macs, an Airport Extreme Base and an Airport Express. Everything worked perfectly until the Internet connection from the Express grew more and more erratic. I isolated the Express as the problem, updated the firmware, reset it, restarted it, soft reset, hard reset, power cycled, changed outlets, tried every trick in the book, blah blah blah. It glows green, sees the network fine but Internet speeds range from good to non-existent, intermittently. Both computers run great off the Extreme Base Station.
So: Is it possible my Express is simply dying? Or is there something else I haven't tried?

This is the same problem I am having, in fact... It has gotten to the point where it no longer loads anything at all. Resetting seems to bring it to life for about 30 seconds, and then it promptly craps out again. I've tried all the different firmware versions, hard and soft resets, power cycling etc. and nothing is working. Any ideas?

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Dying Airport Express? Can see network, but can't connect

I have an airport express bridged from my time capsule using wired ethernet. No problem with the TC. The AE will show up in the list of available networks (separate name) but I often can't connect to it using my iPhone. In Airport Utility I can't see it, either. The light is green, however.
If I unplug it and replug it, it works again, however, and can be seen by Airport Utility, my iPhone, and laptop. It had been working brilliantly for a year set up this way, and I've had it for 3+ years with no real issues.
Is this a dying AEx or are there other things I should look into.

Yes, if I set "Security" to "None," the G4 can connect. But I set it up after I found my next-door neighbor's shared files folder listed on my network this morning. He's an OK guy, but it made me aware of how vulnerable my network is.
My firmware is version 9.52. I've prowled the Apple site looking for an indication of whether that's the latest, but couldn't find one. My "Software Update" says everything's up-to-date.

Airport Express not visible to OS X (iOS is fine, though)

I'm having fairly bizarre trouble with my home networking set-up. Specifically, the WLAN provided by an Airport Express base station. The whole set-up has been working flawlessly for some years, and on the network side, nothing has been altered recently (or anytime since the initial set-up, actually). However, the WLAN has become almost unusable by the OS X machines in the household. And *only* by these.
The situation is *very* strange insofar as from time to time, the two OS X machines in the household (one MB Pro, one MB Pro Retina) simply stop being able to see the base station, and the network provided by it. If that happens (and it has been happening more and more often recently), the only way to get it back is to power cycle the Airport brick. Once one of the two OS X machines "sees" the WLAN again, the other one is also able to use it. And if the problem occurs, both of them lose connection at the same time. It also might take quite a number of power cycles before the OS X machines "see" the WLAN again. Sometimes a single power cycle does the trick, sometimes it takes 20.
Right. Sounds like a dead, or dying, Airport Extreme brick, you say?
Trouble is, the iOS devices in the household (one iPad, one iPod, one iPhone) are always able to see the WLAN, and use the network. Concurrently. No interruption in service. The network speed is always o.k., and there is no glitch in communication. Even when the OS X machines are out of it.
However, there *is* something going on with the Airport Extreme, otherwise the two totally unrelated OS X machines, with no shared user accounts, different users, different data, different build date by about 1 year (2011 and 2012), different machine type (MB Pro, MB Pro Retina), would not both lose their connections at the same time once "it" (whatever it is) happens to the Airport. This has also persisted over the last few OS X releases, and just gotten more and more frequent.
I've tried the following:
Deleting all mention of the network from the OS X machines (passwords in the keychain, network config, etc). No effect.
Factory reset of the Airport Extreme brick. No effect. The OS X machines have exactly the same trouble "seeing" the reset brick with its default "Apple eaXXXX" network as they had with the configured network. It also takes a random number of power cycles before I can use the utility on an OS X machine to even configure the network. The iOS devices immediately "see" the reset brick, of course. With its right name. And all that. Just like they had zero trouble seeing the configured brick.
I'm completely out of ideas what could be causing this. Any suggestions from you guys? I'm game for running any diagnostics you might suggest - I'm actually a computer scientist, so I'm not averse to tinkering. Quite the contrary. But I cannot imagine any plausible technical scenario that causes the OS X machines (and only them) to lose the connection, so I have no idea what to try next.
BTW: there are unfortunately no Linux or Windows machines in the household, so I could not run experiments with other operating systems.

The Express / Extreme contains logs that can be examined for anything unusual. Unfortunately Apple does not provide details on deciphering them, but I could at least compare yours to what I think is normal. Several logging levels are supported.
If it is as old as you say, you might be able to experiment with earlier firmware versions. For example, I had an older Extreme that was very stable running Firmware 5.5.3 (I think) and upgrading it to a later version caused similar problems. A subsequent firmware version was required for a specific and unusual network client to function, but it resulted in the need to reboot the Extreme anywhere from once a week to twice a day. The only solution was to upgrade to a later model Extreme. That may be related to the phenomenon you are experiencing.
Experimenting with alternate firmware versions will be tedious though. Only a computer scientist would be interested
I doubt a new Extreme will give you the same problems. They have been rock solid serving a variety of clients: Macs, iOS, Windows, all sorts of others, zero problems.

Airport Express Hardware wird nicht erkannt

Ich möchte den Airport Express zur Erweiterung meines WLans einsetzen. Die Installationssoftware erkennt aber die Airport Express Hardware nicht. Habe verschiedene Steckdosen in unmittelbarer Nähe des WLans Modems (Speedport) bereits probiert - auch mit Ethernet Kabel. Leider erfolglos.

Ihre Express kann nicht auf einen anderen (nicht von Apple) Router zu verbinden, ohne die Verwendung eines Ethernet-Verbindung. Um dies zu tun, lesen Sie bitte dieses KB-artikel: Wi-Fi-Basisstationen: Roaming-Netzwerk einrichten und konfigurieren (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Es kann notwendig sein, um Ihre Express zurückzusetzen. Wenn Sie die Wi-Fi-Basisstationen zuvor bereits konfiguriert hatten, sollten Sie jede Wi-Fi-Basisstation, die Teil des erweiterten Netzwerks werden soll, zunächst auf die Werkseinstellungen zurücksetzen: Häufige Fragen zum Zurücksetzen einer AirPort-Basisstation oder Time Capsule

Airport Express als Repeater?

Ist es möglich ein Airport Express als WLAN-Repeater mit einer FritzBox 3390 als Basisstation zu verbinden?
Kann die Airport Express auch über LAN-Kabel mit der FritzBox verbinden, so daß ein einheitliches Netz (z.B. 192.168.10.*) entsteht? Und falls ja, ist die Verbindung über den WAN-Anschluß oder einen LAN-Anschluß der Airport Express herzustellen.

Ja, Sie können die AirPort Express als Repeater für die FritzBox verwenden, indem Sie die beiden mit einem Ethernet-Kabel. Verbinden Sie das Kabel mit dem WAN (Kreis Punkte) Anschluss auf der Express. Dann konfigurieren Sie beide Router für ein Roaming-Netz.

Funkverbindung iphone 4 mit airport express funktioniert nur auf kurze distanz ca. 2 meter

Funkverbindung iphon 4 mit Airport express funktioniert nur auf kurze Distanz ca 2 Meter. ist das normal ???

Das iPhone 4 ist in der Lage eine Verbindung zu drahtlosenNetzwerken im 2,4 GHz Frequenzband 802.11b/g/n. Die AirPort Express Basisstation hat ein angekündigtes Funkreichweite von 50 bis 150 Meter ... so ein Limit von 2 Metern wäre ungewöhnlichund würde bedeuten, dass es WLAN-Interferenz vorhanden, dass die Verhinderung der AirPort Express ist von der Lieferung ein sauberes Signal oder dass das iPhone kann eine defekteWLAN-Antenne haben.

Apple Care replaced my dead, out-out-of-warranty Airport Express

Today, I became one of the hundreds (thousands??) of Airport Express users whose AE died just a few months out of warranty. I faithfully purchase Apple Care (3-year extended warranty) from Apple for every Mac I buy.
A few years ago, my graphite Airport died, and the Apple Care rep gladly replaced it due to my active Apple Care contract at that time. Today, I thought I would receive the same courtesy, thanks again to my TWO active Apple Care contracts that were in place well before I purchased the AE.
My initial Apple Care rep denied my request for a replacement AE, because, he argued, the AE was not purchased at the same time with a Mac. I explained to him the graphite Airport story above, and he dug his heels in deeper. I insisted that he send me up the food chain to a superviser, and after 4-5 min on the phone, the supervisor came on, apologized for his tech's mis-interpretation of policy, and authorized the replacement on the spot. He told me that his techs would have this clearly explained to them for future Apple Care contract holders who call up with a dead AE.
Extra info...I live near an Apple Store, and asked if I may go there and pick up the replacement. He said the decision would be up to the store management--if they had stock, etc. I said I wanted to take my chances and go up there, so he instantly made me an appointment with the genius bar within the hour. This Apple Care supervisor was a real pro. He made it clear that Apple Care covers an AE even if the AE is not purchased with a Mac. He also told me he would make a special request within my case report to the store for a stock unit. Bam! I walked in and got hooked up! Apple does take care of its customer (who might need to be a bit more persistant than need be at times) after all.
Good luck should you find yourself in the same boat I was in...By the way, I am posting this via my replacement AE on the same day, and I would swear it produces faster internet speed than the fried one!
Mac OS X (10.4.4) iMac 20" Intel Core Duo

Hi, Steve
that's one of the good points of the forum here: having a lot of trouble the past few weeks with my iMac, and now also with a brandnew minimac, I get back full with hope by reading your post here.
no, i'm not sarcastic. I think you tell us that we can get treated correctly if we insist to be treated correctly. and that is a a helpful advice.
Thanks, Thomas

AirPort Express just died...

Subject says it all. I used my APE last night to print a paper for class, this morning I went to print again and my MacBook couldn't find the printer. Went in the hallway where the printer is and the green light on the APE was out. Tried to unplug it and move it to another outlet, still dead. I've read a couple other complaints on this problem, basically there is no solution and I have to buy a new one??
I've had this thing since they first came out so the AppleCare is totally gone now. I'd buy an AppleTV if the USB port on the back could be used as a printer server. :-/

My airport express has failed to maintain its connection ever since I added WPA security to my home network. I need to unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in and then go through the palaver of making sure the airport admin assistant recognises the airport express (takes a while - and around 15 presses of the rescan button) before attempting to print wirelessly (which is why I use the airport express). My airport express worked fine for around 18 months before I changed the security setting on my router. I thought my airport express was dying, too. But this power cycling seems to work. Not a great solution, but all I can work out. Try it - hopefully it works. Apple support was hopeless - around 4.5 hours on the phone with them iver 3 different occasions - nothing.

Airport Express lights dead

I have just returned from holiday, to find one of my Airport Express stations "dead". It is not showing any lights at all, neither amber nor green. My other Airport Express station, which acts as my base station is working fine, but this second one which was used to play music in a different room, and to extend the range of the base station, seems to have completely died.
Anyone have any ideas as to what could be the problem, or how to determine if it really is completely dead. It was connected to a surge protector, which was left connected to the mains whilst I was away.

If the status light doesn't go on, the unit is indeed dead.
I don't think these devices are repairable. If you return one to Apple under warranty, I suspect they simply replace it and throw the old one away. If it isn't under warranty, your Apple service center will probably tell you to buy a new one.
If you would like to see what a dissected Airport Express looks like, go to:
http://www.vonwentzel.net/ABS/Dissection-Express/index.html

Airport Express suddenly dead

So I realized my Airport Express just died on me the other day. I plugged it in and waited for it to boot up, but nothing happened. Thinking something was wrong with the power outlet, I found another one on the other side of the house, but I got the same result.
Is my Airport Express dead now? I've had it since August '04, and it's worked perfectly until now. When I plug it in, nothing happens. The light doesn't light up or anything.
Has anybody experienced the same thing?

hello
this is a well known issue, not acknowledge by Apple yet
here is the main subject about it
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=222954
we are collecting information about dead APX:
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-05-02/#5435

The audio on my Airport Express just died

The internet connection works fine. It's the audio output from iTunes to my home stereo that appears to be cooked. It's set up the way it always has been.. 1/8" connector into the Tape1 RCA jacks. The CD player plugged into the amp works fine. Audio at the iMac is fine. I get the "connecting to Airport" message when playing tunes. Then audio starts to come out, but it is gargled and barely audible. Futzing with the stereo's input dial makes no difference.
I've reset the airport express three times. Always comes right back up (for the internet). Audio continues to be dead. I've tried inplugging and plugging back in the audio. I get a loud hum for an instant (normal.. it's the ground breaking contact and restablishing). But still, only the gargled weak audio signal.
I'm thinking my airport express just died. Any insights guys?
- Rowan

Hello katsu 2. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Do the Express stations expire after a certain time, and if so, would it have deleted my network info?
Like any piece of electronic hardware, the AirPort Express can malfunction and it is possible, based on your description, that yours has. If it isn't powering on, then most likely it will not broadcast a wireless network and why you are not seeing it from your computer.
One thing you can try, is to perform a "factory default" reset to see if this helps. You may have to perform it a few times just to be sure. If after doing so, if you are still not getting any status light indications, and the unit feels cool to the touch after being plugged in for 10-15 minutes, then there is a good chance that it's power circuitry has failed.

Latest firmware update 6.3 and dead airport express basestation

My Airport Express basestation (aebs) is 13 month old. It suddenly went dead. No light, no reset, nothing.
And maybe a coincidence:
It happened only 36 hours after I loaded the new 6.3 firmware update.
I wonder if anyone had the same experience regarding a dead aebs due to firmware update 6.3. At least - compared to the posts here - a dead aebs is not such a rare incident as one might wish it would.
Mac OS X (10.4)

Exactly the same has happened to mine, although I don't recall doing a firmware update. Yesterday I just downloaded and installed iTunes 6.0.2 & QuickTime 7.0.4. However, when I came home from work this evening my Airport Express had no LED on as normal. It was cold and had obviously been off for sometime. The fuse it OK and it's just one month after the 1-year guarantee period. Sounds suspiciously like a plot to me....
What has Apple done to kill my Airport Express???
20 G5 iMac iSight Mac OS X (10.4.3) Airport Express, iPod 60GB

I think my airport express is dead but I dont know...help!

hi there
on thursday night, i did a number of software updates (unrelated to airport express). anyway, on friday the airport express went down, so i thought that was simply some kind of software update, reset the computer but nothing worked.
so i have tried resetting the unit, unplugging it for a lengthy period of time and nothing gets my little light flashing again.
the reason i am unsure, is that when i do go to plug the unit back into a powerpoint, i see a very quick green flash which suggests the unit is ok, and i am wondering whether i am doing something wrong.
FYI, i am still relatively new to apples, having a powerbook for approx. 16 months although i still dont understand apples the way i did my old pc's.
is it simply the unit, in which case i'll go to my nearest apple store or is it me?
please help.
philip

Gail - the symptoms you describe are far less common, but I think you too have a dead Airport Express. Yes, a software update (or more specifically, a firmware update) gone wrong can easily turn a functional Airport Express into a doorstop.
Try doing a factory reset per:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044
If the symptoms persist - get a warranty replacement. Absolutely your Airport Express will be covered for this sort of problem if it is under warranty.

Airport express appears to be dead

Airport expressed was unplugged from one location where it was working fine for many months. When replugged in no longer get any light on front (amber or green) and will not reboot (hard or soft) - has it died????

Yes, it has died. If it is still within the one year warranty (from date of purchase) then contact AppleCare (or bring it in to your local dealer) and arrange for a replacement.

Friend suggested I use Airport Express to extend my network to fix dead spots, should I just plan on replacing existing Netgear and buy two AXn's?

I have a few dead spots around the house and I am seeking a good solution without pulling ethernet cable. Reading this community it would seem best if going with Airport Express solution to replace my Netgear and pick up a couple of AXn's. Or perhaps Airport Extreme for base at cable model and AXn for extension?
I had assumed I could just configure one AXn and put it in the dead zone, but reading configuring roaming network indicates you need two. I was planning on adding Apple TV in extended zone does this change anything?

There are a number of possibilities of using multiple AirPorts to extend the wireless range of your network without using wires. Please check out this Apple Support article for more details.
Since your goal is to use wireless connections between routers, you will need two or more AirPort to accomplish this. Unfortunately, extending the Netgear by wireless will not work due to WDS compatibility issues between router manufacturers.

Dead or dying Airport Express?

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